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Apple’s iPad Mini is rumored to be launching in October. At a special press event, Apple will discuss its focus for the product, and let the world know why it believes its Google Nexus 7 competitor might just be the tablet most worth their hard-earned dollars. It’s something we’ve heard often from Apple. And it follows the company’s belief that, when it’s all said and done, it’s delivering the very best products on the market.
But whether consumers might believe that, remains to be seen. According to the latest reports, Apple’s iPad Mini won’t come with all of the fixings found in the company’s higher-end new iPad.
Of course, all of this talk about the iPad Mini is speculation based on what is believed to be reliable rumors. Apple has, as is its wont, decided against divulging any details on the device. The company hasn’t even confirmed that it exists. Still, not even Apple can hide a tablet from the world’s prying eyes. And chances are, the following features will make their way to the device.
1. A 7.85-inch display
Apple’s iPad Mini will ship with a 7.85-inch display, according to all of the latest rumors. The new iPad, in comparison, comes with a 9.7-inch screen. However, if the 7.85-inch screen arrives, it’ll be slightly larger than the 7-inch option available in the Nexus 7.
2. Dual cameras for FaceTime
Apple has made it clear that FaceTime is the future for its video-communication efforts. So it’s highly likely that the iPad Mini will come with dual cameras, allowing users to both snap pictures with the rear option and engage in video chats with the front lens.
3. No Retina display
Although it would be nice to see the Retina display make an appearance on the iPad Mini, the chances of that seem slim. Apple is trying to hit a much lower price point with the iPad Mini, and in order to do so, it’ll need to leave some features out. The Retina display might be just one of those features.
4. iOS 6, of course
Apple’s iOS 6 platform is scheduled to launch this fall, putting it in a perfect position to make its way to the iPad Mini. Apple can’t stand the idea of any of its products not running the latest software. So when the iPad Mini launches, expect it to come bundled with iOS 6.
Apple Wants iPad Mini to Succeed but Not to Cannibalize New iPad Sales
5. The new Dock connector
Apple is reportedly working on a new Dock connector that is much smaller than its current option. According to the latest rumors, that might mean that Apple offers up a 9-pin Dock connector in the iPad Mini. Will it be a major improvement? Unlikely. But it’ll be a notable one, nonetheless.
6. A much cheaper price
The iPad Mini’s chief competitors, including the Nexus 7, come in at just $199 to start. Realizing that, Apple will need to significantly cut the price of its iPad Mini to match those products. Will the device hit $199? It’s unlikely. But a price of $249 or $299 seems like a sure bet.
7. An extremely thin design
One of the key aspects of the purported iPad Mini cases that have cropped up on the Web lately is a thin design. It appears as though Apple has decided that in order for the tablet to set itself apart from competitors, it’ll need to come with an extremely thin design. The new iPad is thin. But the iPad Mini might just be even thinner than its predecessor.
8. 8GB of onboard storage
The problem with small, thin, cheap tablets is that they don’t typically come with ample storage. Considering the new iPad starts at 16GB of onboard storage, it’s extremely likely that Apple’s smaller slate will deliver just 8GB of storage to start. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the name of the cheap tablet game at the moment.
9. The same iPad look
Judging by the iPad Mini cases that have surfaced, Apple isn’t taking too many liberties with the design. The device will still have a prominent touch-screen, it’ll come with a physical home button, and it has a space on the back for a rear camera. Those looking for a fresh, new design won’t find it in the iPad Mini.
10. Not much else
Looking for other features? Don’t. The fact is, Apple’s iPad Mini will be cheap. And although Apple wants the iPad Mini to succeed, it doesn’t want to cannibalize new iPad sales. So the company will deliver just enough to beat the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire. But anything beyond that isn’t coming to the iPad Mini.
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